The Dead Rock
Stars Club, an extensive list of dead rock stars and people related to
rock, when and how they died with links to sites about them - 1996 - 1997

Doc
Rock Presents,1996 - 1997Welcome
to The Dead Rock Stars Club. This site is a list of dead rock stars,
dead people associated with rock and dead people whose music helped influence
and create rock (which I feel includes Jazz and Country artists), sorted
by the date of their demise. This is a tribute to them.LONG
LIVE ROCK !!Click A Button To Go To Those Years

George Tindley - Died 1996 ( R&B
) Singer - (He did, "The Gypsy" and "Fairy Tales") - Was a member of The
Royal Flames who became The
Dreams (They did, "Darlene" and "A Letter To My Girl") and Kenny Esquire
And The Starlites (They did, "They Call Me A Dreamer" and "Pretty Brown
Eyes") - Worked with Steve Gibson's Red Caps and The Modern Red Caps.

Peppi - Died 1996 in Athens, Greece
( Rock ) Played saxophone - Was a member of The Skyrockets.

Steve Brett - Died 1996 - After a bicycling
accident ( Rock ) Singer - Led Steve Brett And The Marvelles ("Dream Tonight")
- Was a member of The Valients.

Wally
Nightingale (Warwick Alan Nightingale) - The Pete Best of Punk Rock
- Died 1996 - Complications of substance abuse ( Rock ) Born in London,
England - Guitarist - (Co-wrote, "Did You No Wrong") - Was a founder
of The Strand,
renamed The Swankers, a band that would go on to become The Sex Pistols.

Nora Lee King (Susan King) - Died 1996
or 1997 ( Jazz ) Singer and guitarist - Worked with her husband Lawrence
Lucie in The Lucy Luciennaires.

Vinnie Daze - Died 1996 ( Metal ) Drummer
- Was a member of Demolition Hammer.

Gary Zekley - Died 1996 ( Rock ) (He
did,"Yellow Balloon" and "Other Towns, Other Girls") He was a member of
Yellow
Balloon (They did,"Follow The Sunshine" and "How Can I Be Down") He
wrote songs for Jan & Dean ("Like A Summer Rain") and The Grassroots
("I'd Wait A Million Years") He worked with Don Grady (aka Robbie Douglas).

Stark Whiteman - Died 1996 ( R&B
) Singer and bass player - Was a member of The Crowns and The
Jokers (They did,"Graduation Day") Louisiana Entertainment Hall Of
Fame Inductee.

Howard Pope - Died 1996 ( Rock ) Was
a member of Drastic Measures - Brother of Carole Pope of Rough Trade.

Les Baxter (Leslie Baxter) - Died 1-15-1996
( Orchestra Leader - Arranger ) Born 3-14-1922 in Detroit, MI or Mexia
TX, U.S. (He had hits with,"The Poor People Of Paris" and "Unchained Melody")
He was a singer for Mel Torme's Mel-Tones ("What Is This Thing Called Love")
worked with Nat King Cole ("Mona Lisa") and was a musical director for
the radio shows Halls Of Ivy and Abbott & Costello - He composed
over 100 film scores, mostly for horror movies, comedies and teenage musicals
.

Curtis
Hairston (Curtis Kinnard Hairston) - Died 1-18-1996 in Winston-Salem,
NC, U.S. - Kidney failure ( R&B - Jazz ) Born 10-10-1961 in Winston-Salem,
NC, U.S. - Singer - (He did,"I Want You (All Tonight)" and "We All Are
One") - Worked with Luther Vandross and Keith Byrd - He was a member of
Jazz Transit.

Gerry
Mulligan (Gerald Joseph Mulligan) - Died 1-20-1996 in Darien, CT, U.S.
- Complications of a knee infection ( Jazz ) Born 4-6-1927 in New
York City, New York, U.S - Saxophonist - Was
the leader of The Concert Jazz Band (They did,"Night At The Turntable"
and "Walkin' Shoes") Worked with Gene Krupa, Claude Thornhill, Miles
Davis and Chet Baker.

Buster
Benton - Died 1-20-1996 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Blues - Soul ) Born
7-19-1932 in Texarkana, AR, U.S. - Guitarist - (He did, "Spider In My Stew"
and "Money Is The Name Of The Game") - Was a member of Dixon's Blues All-Stars.

Jonathan
Larson - Died 1-25-1996 in New York, NY, U.S. - Aortic aneursym ( Musicals
) Born 2-4-1960 in White Plains, NY, U.S. - (He wrote, "Destination: Sky"
and "Take Me Or Leave Me") - He wrote the musical, "Rent".

John Mosley - Died 1-28-1996 ( Recording
expert and entrepreneur ) Born 1914.

Bob Thiele - Died 1-30-1996 - Kidney
failure - Born 7-27-1922 in Brooklyn, NY, U.S. - Producer - (He wrote,
"What A Wonderful World") - Was editor of Jazz Magazine and founded the
Signature label - He produced or worked with Buddy Holly, Jackie Wilson,
Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, T-Bone Walker and many others - Was married
to Teresa Brewer.

Hal
Edstrom (Harold Edstrom) - Died 2-23-1996 in Winona, MN, U.S. ( Dance
) Born 2-12-1914 in Worthington, MN, U.S. - Was a member of The Hal Leonard
Orchestra.

Ace
Wallace (Herman Wallace)- Died 2-28-1996 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. - Complications
of diabetes ( Blues ) Born 6-18-1925 in St. Louis, Mo, U.S. - Guitarist
- Was a member of Big George And The Houserockers and the leader of Ace
Wallace And the Trumps - Worked with Ike And Tina Turner and Billy Gayles.

George
Burns (Nathan Birnbaum) - Died 3-9-1996 in Beverly Hills, CA, U.S.
- Born 1-20-1896 in New York, U.S. - Comedian and actor - (He did, "Young
At Heart" and charted with, "Burns & Allen Dialog" and "I Wish I Was
18 Again") - He did a guest shot in the film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart
Club Band and acted with John Denver as God in the movie Oh, God - He was
married to comedian, Gracie
Allen.

Joseph Pope (Joseph Lee Pope)- Died
3-16-1996 - Heart failure ( Rock ) Born 11-6-1933 in Atlanta, GA, U.S.
- Was a member of The Tams
(They did, "What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)" and "Be Young, Be Foolish,
Be Happy").

Claus Scheibel - Died 3-19-1996 ( Rock
) Drummer - Was a member of The
Teenmakers (They did, "Hvor er den sommer?" and "It's Not Fair").

Don
Murray (Donald Raymond Murray)-
Died 3-22-1996 - Complications from an undisclosed surgery ( Rock - Pop
) Born 11-8-1945 in Glendale, CA, U.S. - Drummer - Led Don Murray &
The Crossfires - Was a member of The
Turtles (They did, "Happy Together" and "Elenore").

Wild Bill Austin (Jesse Austin) - Died
3-22-1996 in Bridgeport, CT, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 9-25-1930 in Longwood,
MS, U.S. - Played organ and sang - Led
The
Jesse Austin Band (They did, "Bridgeport" and "Steel Trap") - Was a
member of The Five Sharps - Worked with Wynonie Harris and Percy Mayfield.

Glenn
"Blub" Rhees (Glenn Donald Rhees) - Died 3-29-1996 in Collinsville,
OK, U.S. ( Country - Western Swing ) Born 7-23-1925 in Oilton, OK, U.S.
- Played saxophone - Worked with Patti Page, Art Davis And The Rhythm Riders,
The Rhythm Busters, The Southernairs, Johnnie Lee Wills ("Blub Twist" and
"Slush") and Bob Wills And His
Texas Playboys. - The Western Swing Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jermaine
Stewart (William Jermaine Stewart) - Died 3-17-1997 - Liver cancer
( Pop - Funk - Rock ) Born 9-7-1957 in Columbus, Ohio, U.S. - (He did,
"You Don't Have To Take Your Clothes Off" and "The Word Is Out") - Was
a member of Shalamar - He worked with The Temptations and Culture Club
("Miss Me Blind").

Larry
LaPrise (Ronald Lawrence LaPrise) - Died 4-4-1996 in Boise Ada County,
Idaho, U.S. ( Pop ) Born 11-11-1912 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Song writer
and musician - He is credited with co-writing the song, "The
Hokey Pokey" which is still disputed - Was a member of The Ram Trio.

Perry Moorer - Died 4-8-1996 - Cirrhosis
of the liver ( R&B ) He was 47 years old - Played saxophone - Was a
member of The Esquires
(They did, "Get On Up" and "And Get Away").

Walter Hyatt - Died 4-11-1996 - Plane
crash ( Western Swing - Folk - Rock ) Born 1950 in Spartanburg, South Carolina,
U.S. - Was a member of Uncle Walt's Band, The Contenders and King Tears
.

Gaylord Birch - Died 4-14-1996
in San Francisco, CA, U.S. ( Rock ) Born 3-10-1946 in San Francisco, CA,
U.S. - Drummer - Worked with Herbie Hancock, The Pointer Sisters, The Grateful
Dead and Santana.

Bernard Edwards - Died 4-18-1996 in
Tokyo, Japan - Pneumonia ( Disco ) Born 10-31-1952 in Greenville, N.C.,
U.S. - Played bass and sang - Was a member of Chic (They did,"La Freak"
and "Good Times") and Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band ("A Fifth
Of Beethoven") - Worked with Power Station ("Some Like It Hot"), Missing
Persons, ABC and Rod Stewart.

Brad
Nowell (Bradley James Nowell) - Died 5-25-1996 in San Francisco, CA,
U.S. - Heroin overdose ( Ska - Punk ) Born 2-22-1968 in Long Beach, CA,
U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of Sublime
(They did, "What I Got" and "Santeria").

Chris Quillen - Died 5-26-1996 - Car
crash ( Rock ) Born 10-25-1969 - Guitarist and singer - Was a member of
The
Fiddleworms - Worked with Stained Mecca and Adam's House Cat - The
Drive-By Truckers did, "Plastic Flowers On The Highway" for Chris.

Don Grolnick - Died 6-1-1996 - Non-Hodgkins
lymphoma ( Rock - Jazz ) Born 9-23-1947
in New York, NY, U.S. (He did, "One Bird, One Stone" and "Blues for Pop")
Was a member of Dreams, The Brecker Brothers and Steps Ahead - Worked with
James Taylor, Ten Wheel Drive, Ten Thousand Maniacs, Linda Ronstadt, Steely
Dan and many others.

Alan Blakely- Died 6-1-1996 - Cancer
( Rock ) Born 4-1-1942 in Bromley, Kent, England - Was the rhythm guitar
player for The Tremeloes .

Courtney Johnson - Died 6-7-1996 -
Lung cancer ( Bluegrass ) Born 12-20-1939 in Barren County, Ky., U.S. -
Played guitar and banjo - Was a member of Poor Richard's Almanac, Bluegrass
Alliance and New Grass Revival - Worked with Leon Russell.

Wendy Bagwell - Died 6-13-1996 - After
surgery for a brain aneurysm ( Gospel ) Born 1918 - Was the lead singer
for Bagwell The Sunliters - Southern Gospel Music Guild's Hall of Fame
inductee.

Ella
Fitzgerald(Ella Jane Fitzgerald)
(aka Lady Ella) The First Lady of Song -
Died 6-15-1996 in Beverly Hills, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 4-25-1917 in Newport
News, VA, U.S. - Singer - (She sang, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" and "Undecided")
- She worked with Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and others
- She had been married to bass player, Ray Brown.

Luke Walter Jr. (Luk Renneboog) - Died
6-18-1996 in New York, NY, U.S. - Leukeamia ( Blues ) Born 11-22-1947 in
Antwerp, Belgium - Singer - He was a member of Blue
Blot (They did, "Where Do We Go From Here' and 'Hold The Line") - Worked
with Tony Joe White.

Jim Ellison - Died 6-20-1996 - Suffocated
himself in his garage with carbon monoxide fumes from his moped ( Rock
- Pop ) Born 4-18-1966 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Was a vocalist and guitarist
for Green and Material Issue .

Luis Alfonso Larrain - The Dancing
Music's Magician - Died 7-6-1996 in Caracas, Venezuela - ( Tropical
- Jazz ) Born 7-22-1911 in La Victoria, Venezuela - Composer, arranger
and director - Led his his own orchestra and was the founder of The Society
Of Authors And Songwriters from Venezuela (SACVEN).

J.W. Alexander (James Woodie Alexander)
- Died 7-8-1996 in West Hollywood, CA, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 1-21-1916 in
Hamilton, MS, U.S. - Singer, producer and manager - Was a member of The
Pilgrim Travelers (They did, "Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb" and "Mother
Bowed") and The Travelers - Co-founded SAR Records with Sam Cooke.

Marcel
Dadi - Died 7-17-1996 - His plane crashed in the waters just outside
of New York ( Country ) Born 8-20-1951 - Guitarist - Worked with Joseph
Illouz, Andre Assouline and Maurice Levy - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Tamara
Danz - Died 7-22-1996 - Breast cancer ( Rock ) Singer and songwriter
- Born 12-14-1952 Breitungen, Werra - She was a member of Die Cropies,
Oktoberklub, The Horst Kruger Band, Gitarreros and Familie Silly who changed
their name to Silly
(They did, "Psycho" and "Berliner Fruhling") - Worked with Mike Kilian.

Rob Collins
(Robert
Collins)- Died 7-22-1996 -
Car crash ( Rock ) Born 2-23-1963 in Sedgeley - Played organ for The Charlatans
( They did, "You're Not Very Well" and "Then").

Marguerite Ganser Droste - Died 7-28-1996
- Breast cancer ( Rock ) Born 2-4-1948 - Singer - Was a member of The
Shangri-Las (They recorded, "Remember (Walking In The Sand)" and "The
Leader Of The Pack")

Bill
Buchanan - Died 8-1-1996 - Cancer Born 4-30-1930 - Producer and
songwriter - Worked with Dickie Goodman, who as a team, invented the "break-in"
novelty record and he also worked with Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Leather
Nun and Fields Of The Nephilim.

Miki Volek (Michael Volek) The King
of Czechoslovak Rock'n'Roll - Died 8-14-1996 in Prague, Czech Republic
- Probably cirrhosis of the liver ( Rock n Roll ) Born 5-21-1943 in Prague,
Czechoslovakia (at the time Bohemia-Moravian Protectorat) - Singer for
The Crazy Boys (They did, "Hey Bop-A-Re-Bop") and for Olympic (They did,
"Cindarella" and "Skinny Minnie") He left them when they changed their
rock and roll style to the Mersey Sound - He disliked the Beatles, "because
they stole my bread".

Rio Reiser - Died 8-20-1996 ( Rock
) Born 1-9-1950 - Guitarist - Was a member of Ton
Steine Scherben.

Alyce
King (Alyce King Clarke) - Died 8-21-1996 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.
- Chronic bronchial asthma ( Big Band ) Born 8-14-1915 in Payson, UT, U.S.
- Singer - Was one of The King
Sisters (They sang, "I'll Get By" and "In The Mood).

Lee
Baker - Died 9-10-1996 - He was shot along with his aunt and the house
was burned ( Blues Rock ) He was the leader of Moloch - Worked with Mudboy
& The Neutrons, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Sleepy John Estes, Gus Cannon,
Bukka White, Charlie Rich, Furry Lewis and Lee Baker And The Agitators.

Ted
Daffan (Theron Eugene Daffan) - Died 10-6-1996 in Houston, TX, U.S.
( Country ) Born 9-21-1912 in Beauregarde Parish, Louisiana, U.S. - Guitarist
- (He wrote, "Truck Driver's Blues" and "Born To Lose") - He was the leader
of Ted Daffan And The Texans - Nashville
Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Ronnie Garvin - Died 10-7-1996 - Shot
himself ( Rock ) Born 8-18-1959 in Charleston, SC, U.S. - Was a guitar
player for Stranger
(They did, "Swamp Woman" and "Wrong Side Of The Tracks").

Colleen
Peterson - Died 10-9-1996 - Cancer ( Folk - Country ) Born 11-14-1950
in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada - Singer and songwriter - (She did, "No
Pain, No Gain" and "Too Short A Ride") - Was a member of Three's A Crowd,
Takin' Care Of Business and Quartett (They did, "It Never Rains On Me"
and "Lost Between Barren Shores") - She wrote songs for Anne Murray and
Roger Miller - Worked with Bruce Cockburn, The Charlie Daniels Band, Sylvia
Tyson and Waylon Jennings.

Brad Robinson (Bradford Leigh Robinson)
- Died 10-13-1996 - Cancer ( Rock ) Born 1958 - Was a guitarist for Australian
Crawl (They recorded, "Restless" and "Live Now - Pay Later") - Also was
a manager and TV presenter.

Chris Acland
(Christopher
John Dyke Acland)- Died 10-17-1996
- Hung himself ( Rock ) Born 9-7-1966 in Lancaster,
England - Was the drummer for Panik, Infection and Lush
(They did, "Sweetness And Light" and "For Love").

Inocente Palacios - Died 10-19-1996
in Caracas, Venezuela - Born 03-13-1908 in Caracas, Venezuela - Director
of Festivals of Music, musical professor, essayist and Doctor in political
and social sciences - Creator and organizer of The Festivals Of Music
of Caracas - Creator, director and professor of the School of Arts of the
Central University of Venezuela (UCV).

Robert
Racic - Died 10-25-1996 in Sydney, Australia - Progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy - Born 1-8-1964 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia -
Producer, DJ and arranger - He remixed The
Severed Heads songs, "The Tingler" and "Pilot In Hell" - Worked with
Itch-E And Scratch-E, New Order, Eurogliders, A Certain Ratio and Single
Gun Theory.

Roman Generalov - Died 10-26-1996-
Stabbed while working at a gas station ( Rock ) Born 9-24-1968 -
Was a member of Ordovic.

William "W.C." Clarke - Died 11-2-1996
- During an operation for a bleeding ulcer ( Blues ) Born 3-29-1951 in
Inglewood, CA., U.S. - Harmonica player - (He did, "Must Be Jelly" and
"Gambling for my Bread") - Worked with George "Harmonica" Smith.

Eva
Cassidy (Eva Marie Cassidy) - Died 11-2-1996 in Bowie, Maryland, U.S.
- Melanoma ( Pop ) Born 2-2-1963 in Washington, DC, U.S. - Singer and guitarist
- (She did, "Songbird" and a remake of, "Over The Rainbow") - Was a member
of Easy Street and Stonehenge - Worked with Characters Without Names, E-40,
Experience Unlimited and Chuck Brown - Washington Area Music Association
Hall Of Fame Inductee.

William
Clarke - Died 11-3-1996 (Blues ) Born 3-29-1951 in Inglewood,
CC, U.S. - Sang and played harmonica - (He did, "Blowin' Like Hell" and
"Sweet Angel's Gone") - Led The William Clarke band - Worked with George
"Harmonica" Smith.

Alan
K (Alan Kalicki) (aka Rocky Starr) - Died 11-9-1996 in New York, NY,
U.S. ( Punk ) Born 3-11-1955 in Buffalo, NY, U.S. - Guitarist - Was a member
of Grim Reaper, Aunt
Helen ("Big Money"), The
Toys ("Livin' Fast") who became The New Toys ("Wrong Side Of You"),
Lone
Cowboys (They did a remake of, "You Light Up My Life") and The
Road Vultures ("Fire It Up").

Yafeu
Fula (aka Killa Kadafi, Yak, Yaki Kadafi and Young Hollywood) (Yafeu
Akiyele Fula) - Died 11-11-1996 in East Orange, NJ, U.S. - Shot in the
head ( Rap ) Born 10-9-1977 in Irvington, NJ, U.S. - Was a member of Tupac
Shakur backup band, Outlaw
Immortalz.

Bill Vernon - Died 11-20-1996 in Rocky
Mount, VA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Bluegrass ) Born 7-4-1937 in New York,
NY, U.S. - Radio broadcaster and historian - Wrote for Pickin', Muleskinner
News and Bluegrass Unlimited - International
Bluegrass Music Hall Of Honor Inductee.

Tiny Tim ( Herbert Khaury ) - Died
11-30-1996 - Heart attack ( Pop ) Born 4-12-1933 in New York, NY, U.S.
- Played the ukulele and sang(He
did, "Tiptoe Through The Tulips", "This Is All I Ask" and a duet with himself
on, "I Got You Babe").

Peter Hall - Died 12-5-1996 ( Folk )
Played guitar, harmonica, mandolin, penny whistle and was a singer
(He did,"Song In The Woods" and "Sam's Rhyme Of The Troll") Worked
with Tom Speirs and Arthur Watson.

Doug Fulton (Douglas J. Fulton) - Died
12-5-1996 - Illness - Born 4-5-1928 in Illinois, U.S. - Photographer -
His photographs of blues artists appeared on album covers and in newspapers
and calendars - Arizona
Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Patty
Donahue (Patricia J. Donahue) (aka Patty Darling) - Died 12-6-1996
- Lung cancer ( New Wave ) Born 3-29-1956 - Was the singer for The
Waitresses (They recorded, "I Know What Boys Like", "Christmas Wrapping"
and the theme music for the TV show "Square Pegs").

Ben
Hewitt - Died 12-8-1996 in Maryland, U.S. ( Country - Rockabilly )
Born 9-11-1935 on the Tuscarora Indian Reservation in New York, U.S. -
Guitarist - (He did, "I Ain't Givin' Up Nothin' (If I Can't Have Something
From You)" and "Border City Call Girl").

John Duffey - Died 12-10-1996 - Heart
attack ( Bluegrass ) Born 1934 - Was the leader of The Seldom Scene.

Jacob Johnson - Died 12-10-1996 ( Jazz
) Born 1978 - He played trumpet for The Hot 8 Brass Band.

Faron
Young - The Hillbilly Heartthrob - The Singing Sheriff - Died
12-10-1996 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - Shot himself because he had a debilitating
emphysema ( Honky Tonk - Countrypolitan ) Born 2-25-1932 in Shreveport,
Louisiana, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (Recorded, "Live Fast, Love Hard,
Die Young" and "Alone With You") - Country
Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Dawn Crosby - Died 12-15-1996 - Liver
cancer ( Metal ) Born 4-5-1963 in Maryland - Singer - Was a member of Allies,
First Attack, Fear Of God (They
did, "Red to Grey" and "Diseased") and Detente (They did, "Shattered Illusions"
and "Vultures In The Sky").

Eadie Del Rubio (Eadie Boyd)-
Died 12-16-1996 - Cancer ( Pop - Rock
- Country - Hawaiian - Calypso ) She
was one of The Del Rubio Triplets
later called 3 Gals, 3 Guitars, 1 Birthday and 3 Gals, 3 Guitars (They
did remakes of, "Whip It" and "These Boots Are Made For Walking") - The
sisters had appeared on the TV shows Ellen, The Golden Girls, Full House,
Married ... With Children and Pee-Wee's Playhouse.

Irving Caesar - Died 12-17-1996 ( Pop
) Born 7-4-1895 in New York - (He wrote,"Just A Gigolo" and "Swanee").

Ruby
Murray - Died 12-17-1996 - Liver cancer ( Pop ) Born 3-29-1935 in Belfast,
Ireland - Singer - (She did, "Heartbeat" and "Softly, Softly") - She is
listed in The Guinness Book Of World Records for having 5 hits in the Top
Twenty in the same week.

Peet
Coombes - Died 1997 - Sclerosis of the liver ( New Wave ) He was 45
years old - Singer, songwriter and guitarist - Was a member of The
Catch with Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart (They did, "Borderline" and
"Black Blood") and The
Tourists (They did, "Blind Among The Flowers" and a remake of "I Only
Want To Be With You").

John Steele (John Thomas Steele) (aka Scooter)
- Died 1997 ( Doo Wop ) Singer - Was
a member of The Dovers who changed their name to The Five Willows (They
did, "My Dear Dearest Darling") and then to The
Willows (They did, "Church Bells May Ring" and "Dolores").

George Ramogi - Died 1997 ( Benga ) Guitarist
- Was a member of The Luo Sweet Band and The Continental Kilo Dumbe
Dumbe Jazz Band.

Denver "Denny" Zatyka - Died 1997 ( Rock ) Was
a member of The Triumphs (They did, "I Know It's Wrong" and "Garner St.
Park") - Worked with B.J. Thomas.

Bill
Smitka - Died 1997 ( Rock ) Born 1995 - Guitarist - Was a member of
The Layabouts (They did,"Talk To The Lawyer") Worked with The Buzzards.

Graham Maitland - Died 1997 ( Rock
) Was a keyboardist and vocalist for Glencoe (They did, "Sinking Down A
Well" and "Telephonia") - Worked with Splinter, Wishbone Ash, Bryn Haworth,
Scots of St. James, Hopscotch and The Fleur de Lys.

Randy
California ( Randy Graig Wolfe ) - Died 1-2-1997 in Molokai, Hawaii,
U.S. - Drowned while rescuing his twelve year old son, his
body was never found(
Rock ) Born 2-20-1951 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Singer, guitarist and
songwriter - Worked with Jimmi Hendrix's band, Jimmy James & The Blue
Flames - Was a member of Spirit
(They did, "I Got A Line On You" and "Mr. Skin") - Stepson of drummer Ed
Cassidy who also was a member of Spirit.

Burton
Lane (Burton Levy) - Died 1-5-1997 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Musicals
) Born 2-2-1912 in New York, NY, U.S. - Composer and lyricist - Composed
music for the musicals, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and Finian's
Rainbow and also for the film, Babes On Broadway - Was a president of The
American Guild Of Authors And Composers - Songwriters
Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Kenny Pickett (Kenneth George Pickett)
(aka Kenny Lee) - Died 1-10-1997 on stage in Mortlake, South London, England
- The cause of death remains unknown ( Rock ) Born 9-3-1940 in Ware, Hertfordshire,
England - Singer - Was a member of The Mark Four (They did, "Hurt Me If
You Will" and "Work All Day (Sleep All Night)"), The Kennedy Express (They
did, "Is There Life On Earth?") and Creation
(They did, "Making Time" and "Painter Man").

Billy
MacKenzie (William MacArthur Mackenzie)-
Died 1-22-1997 - Suicide due to depression over his mother's death, drug
overdose ( Rock ) Born 3-27-1957 in
Dundee - Was a member of The Associates (They did,"Party Fears Two"
and "Club Country") and worked with Yello (He co-wrote,"The Rhythm Divine"
with them).

Wally Whyton - Died 1-22-1997 - Lung
cancer ( Skiffle ) Born 9-23-1929 - Was a member of The Vipers (They recorded,"Don't
You Rock Me Daddy-O" and "Cumberland Gap").

Audie
Pitre - Died 1-23-1997 - Car crash caused by a drunk driver (
Death Metal ) Was the bassist for Acid
Bath (They did,"Bleed Me An Ocean" and "New Death Sensation").

Richard
Berry - Died 1-23-1997 Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Aneurysm ( Blues - R&B
) Born 4-11-1935 in Extension, LA, U.S. - (Wrote, "Louie Louie") - He was
a singer with The Flairs and The Robins ("Riot In Cell Block #9") - Worked
with Rick Rillera & The Rhythm Rockers, The Dreamers, Etta James ("The
Wallflower" also known as "Roll With Me, Henry") and The Flamingos.

Frank Schiavulli
(aka The Floor Show) - Died 1-23-1997 - Drummer - Worked with The
Satellites, The Motorcity Shakers and Tacklebox.

Exuma
(Tony McKay) (McFarlane Anthony McKay) - Died 1-25-1997 in Nassau in the
Bahamas - Born 194? on Cat Island in the Bahamas - Singer, songwriter,
guitarist and artist - (He did, "Exuma, The Obeah Man" and "A Place Called
Earth") - Led Tony McKay And The Islanders and The Junk Band.

Gerald
Marks - Died 1-27-1997 in Manhattan, NY, U.S. - Born 10-13-1900
in Saginaw, Mich., U.S. - Jazz and tin pan alley composer - (He co-wrote,"All
Of Me" and "Is It True What They Say About Dixie").

Johnny
Klein (John A. Klein Jr.) - Died 1-31-1997 in Torrance, CA, U.S. -
Illness - Born 6-4-1918 in Strasburg, ND, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with
The Lawrence Welk orchestra and The Journeymen.

Vernon Gardner - Died 2-14-1997 ( R&B
) Born 12-26-1911 in VA, U.S. - Was a member of The Deep River Boys.

Charles
Moffett - Died 2-14-1997 in New York, NY, U.S. - Cancer ( Jazz ) Born
9-11-1929 in Fort Worth, TX, U.S. - Played drums and trumpet - Led The
Moffettettes - Worked with Jimmy Witherspoon, Ornette Coleman and Little
Richard.

Miss Cynderella (Cynthia Wells) (Cynthia
Cale-Binion) - Died 2-19-1997 in Palm Desert, CA, U.S. ( Rock ) Singer
- She was a member of The
GTOs (They did, "I'm In Love With The Ooo-Ooo Man" and "The Eureka
Springs Garbage Lady") - Worked with Frank Zappa and Jeff Beck - At one
time married to singer and musician, John Cale.

Harold Melvin - Died 3-24-1997 in Philadelphia,
PA, U.S. - In his sleep ( Soul - Doo-Wop ) Born 6-25-1939 in Philadelphia,
PA, U.S. - Was the leader of Harold
Melvin And The Bluenotes (They did, "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and
"The Love I Lost (Part 1)").

Johnny Farque - Died 4-?-1997 - During
a performance ( Cajun ) Born 1920 - Guitarist and singer - Was a member
of The Hackberry Ramblers (They did, "Dancing With A Broken Heart" and
"Cajun Boogie").

Mike
Raven (Austin Churton Fairman) - Died 4-4-1997 - Born 11-15-1924 in
London, England - Influential blues D.J. on Radio Caroline an English pirate
station who later worked for Radio 1 - Acted in the movie, Lust For A Vampire.

Allen
Ginsberg - (Irwin Ginsberg) Died 4-5-1997 in New York, U.S. - Liver
cancer - Born 6-3-1926 in Newark, New Jersey, U.S. - Poet - Worked with
The
Fugs.

Albert Gregory "Yella" Thomas - Died
4-5-1997 ( Rap ) Born 1974 - Was a member of UNLV (They did, "Chill And
Hussle" and "Low Down And Dirty").

Jay Hening - Died 4-18-1997 - Shot
himself ( Rock ) Guitarist - Was a member of Demolition 23 and Star
Star.

Timory Hyde - Died 4-18-1997 in Providence,
RI, U.S. - Fell from a window ( Rock ) Born 4-18-1975 - She sang and played
guitar, piano, flute and didgeridoo - Worked with Damian Kulash ("Last
December" and "Letterbox").

El Duce (Eldon Hoke) - Died 4-19-1997
- Hit by train while intoxicated ( Punk ) Born 3-24-1958 - Was a singer
and drummer for The Mentors.

Dan Vandenplas (aka Cernunnos) - Died
4-19-1997 - Hanged himself ( Metal ) Born 5-3-1971 - Drummer - Was a member
of Enthroned.

Pat Paulsen (Patrick L. Paulsen)
- Died 4-25-1997 in Mexico - Pneumonia and kidney failure ( Comedian -
Presidential
Candidate ) Born 7-6-1927 in South Bend, Washington, U.S. - He wrote
songs for The Smothers Brothers including, "I Fell In A Vat Of Chocolate"
- Was a member of The Fathers (They did,"You Can't Put Us Down" and "They
Say We're Not Groovy").

Gene Ames (Gene Urick) - Died 4-26-1997
in Scottsdale, AZ, U.S. ( Pop ) Born 2-13-1923 in Malden, MA, U.S. - Singer
- He was one of The Amory Brothers who became The
Ames Brothers (They did, "Rag Mop" and "The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane")
- Vocal
Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Keith Ferguson - Died 4-29-1997 in
Austin, TX, U.S. - Liver failure
( Blues ) Born 7-23-1946 in Houston, TX, U.S. - Bassist - Was a member
of The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Ernie Fields - Died 5-11-1997 ( Pop
) Born 8-26-1905 in Nacogdoches TX, U.S. - Trombonist and pianist (Had
hits with remakes of ,"In the Mood" and "The Charleston").

Louis Barbarin - Died 5-12-1997 ( Jazz
) Born 1902 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Drummer - Was a member of The Preservation
Hall Band and the reformed Onward Brass Band - Worked with Earl Hines,
Sylvester and Jim Robinson - Brother of drummer Paul Barbarinson and son
of brass player Isadore Barbarin.

Mel
Bay - Died 5-14-1997 - Founder and president of Mel Bay Publications
Inc. - Born 1913 - Guitarist - He wrote the guitar instruction books
used by thousands of guitar students over several generations.

Thelma Carpenter - Died 5-15-1997 -
Heart attack ( Jazz ) Worked with Count Basie and Teddy Wilson - Played
the good witch of the north in The Wiz.

Nolan Woody Washington - Died 5-19-1997
( Gospel ) Born 1932 - Was a singer for
The
Zion Harmonizers - Worked with Lou Rawls and Sam Cooke.

Brad Stoll - Died 5-21-1997 - Cancer
- Was a member of Citykids.

Lloyd Nolan - Died 5-21-1997 in Chicago,
IL, U.S. ( R&B ) Born 2-15-1939 in Batesfield, MS, U.S. - Singer and
guitarist - (He did, "What's Happening In Here" and "I Don't Know About
You") - Was a member of The Inspirations.

Fiorenzo
Carpi - Died 5-21-1997 in Rome, Italy - Born 10-19-1918 in Milan, Italy
- Pianist and composer - He wrote music for theatre, movies and TV
shows.

Johnny
York (John A. Greco) (aka Johnny Jack) - Died 5-23-1997 in Pittsburgh,
PA, U.S. - Cancer ( R&B ) He was 57 years old - Singer, writer and
producer - (As Johnny Jack he did, "Smack Madam (Get It All)" and "The
Beggar That Became King" and as Johnny York he did, "True Lovers").

Jeff
Buckley(Jeffrey Scott Buckley)
(aka Scottie Moorhead) - Died 5-29-1997
in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Drowned in the Wolf River, a tributary of the Mississippi
River ( Folk Rock ) Born 11-17-1966 in Orange County, CA, U.S. - Singer,
songwriter and guitarist - (He recorded, "Everybody Here Wants You" and
"Last Goodbye") - Worked with Mind Science Of The Mind, Gods And Monsters
and Shinehead - Son of the late folk rock artist Tim
Buckley.

Carolina
Cotton (Helen Hagstom) - The Yodeling Blonde Bombshell and Queen
of the Range - Died on 6-10-1997 in Bakersfield, CA, U.S. ( Western
Swing ) Born 10-20-1925 in Cash, AR, U.S. - Yodeler and singer - (She did,
"3 Miles South Of Cash In Arkansas" and "I Betcha I Getcha") - Worked with
Spade Cooley - Western
Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Prince
Nico Mbarga - Died 6-24-1997 - Motorcycle accident ( Highlife ) Born
1-1-1950 in Abakaliki, Nigeria - Played xylophone, drums and guitar - Was
a member of Rocafil Jazz (They did, "I No Go Marry My Papa" and "Sweet
Mother") - Worked with The Melody Orchestra, Louisiana Tilda and The Ivory
Coasters.

Louis McCall - Died 6-25-1997 near
Stone Mountain - Shot by a burglar in his home ( Funk ) Born 1952 - Drummer
- Was a member of Project Soul and Con
Funk Shun (They did, "Ffun, Ffun, Ffun" and "Shake And Dance With Me").

Israel
Kamakawiwo'ole (aka Iz ) - Died 6-26-1997 - Respiratory failure ( Hawaiian
) Born 5-20-1959 - Singer - He was a member of The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau.

Johnny "Clyde" Copeland - The Texas
Twister - Died 7-3-1997 in New York, NY, U.S. - Died from complication
during heart surgery for a heart transplanted six months earlier ( R&B
) Born 3-27-1937 in Haynesville, LA, U.S. - Was a member of The Dukes Of
Rhythm.

Hi-Pockets Busse (aka Hi Busse) (Enright
August Busse) - Died 7-13-1997 ( Country Western ) Born 8-6-1914 in Warroad,
MN, U.S. - Accordionist - Led Hi Busse And The Frontiersmen (Hey did, "Along
The Navajo Trail" and "Don't Fence Me In") - Worked with The Riders Of
The Purple Sage, The Texas Ramblers and The Saddletramps - Western
Music Association Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Ary Groenhuijzen - Died 7-15-1997 (
Rock ) Born 1946 - Keyboardist - Was a member of The Teddy Bears.

Peter Cowap - Died 7-16-1997 - Pneumonia
( Rock ) Born 6-29-1944 in Middleton, Manchester, England - Guitarist -
Was a member of The Moonrakers, Deke Bonner & The Tremors, The
Country Gentlemen (They did a remake of "Greensleeves") and Little
Frankie With The Country Gentlemen (They did,"The Kind Of Boy You Can't
Forget" and "Make-A-Love") He worked with Jimmy Justice ("When My Little
Girl Is Smiling").

Louise
King - Died 8-4-1997 in Sandy, UT, U.S. ( Pop - Swing ) Born 12-21-1913
in Payson, UT, U.S. - Singer - Was one of The
King Sisters (They did, "I Understand" and "I'll Get By") - Wife of
guitarist, Alvino Rey.

The Real Don Steele - Died 8-5-1997
- Lung cancer ( Disk Jockey ) Born 1936 - Was an original "Boss Jock" being
one of the first to use the pop format on FM radio in the early sixties.

William
Seward Burroughs - Died 8-2-1997 - Heart attack ( Writer ) Born 2-5-1914
in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. (Recorded an album,"The Priest They Called
Him" with Kurt Cobain playing guitar while Burroughs spoke) Soft Machine
and
Steely Dan took
their names from Burroughs' writtings.

Conlon Nancarrow - Died 8-10-1997 (
Jazz ) Born 1913 - Trumpeter - Was a composer for mechanical player pianos.

James Jackson Jr. - Died 8-10-1997 -
Arterial sclerosis ( Jazz ) Born 1932 - Played bassoon, flute and a large
drum that he had made from a tree trunk - He was a member of The Sun Ra
Arkestra.

RayBeez
(Ray Barbieri) - Died 8-11-1997 - Pneumonia ( Hardcore ) Born 11-27-1961
- Was a member of Warzone
(They did,"Crazy But Not Insane" and "Rebels Till We Die") .

Luther
Allison - Died 8-12-1997 in Madison, WI, U.S. - Lung cancer ( Blues
) Born 8-17-1939 in Mayflower, Arkansas, U.S. - Guitarist and singer -
(He did, "Reckless" and "Blue Streak") - Was a member of The Rolling Stones
( not the English group) and The Four Jivers - Worked with Magic
Sam, Otis Rush and Freddie King - Blues
Foundation's Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Orville Brooks - Died 8-30-1997 ( Doo-Wop
- R&B - Gospel ) Born 1-27-1919 in Fruitland, Maryland, U.S. - Was
a member of The Jubalaires, The Fruitland Harmonizers, Bill Langford's
Southern Sons, The Golden Gate Quartet and a reformed Larks.

Manuel Steven Hirsch - Died 8-31-1997
- Was a member of The Blue Angels.

Al "Jazzbo" Collins - Died 9-?-1997
( DJ ) Was one of the top jazz announcers in the U.S. - He broadcast
from "Purple Grotto" , supposedly three stories under the studio.

Rich
Mullins - Died 9-19-1997 in Illinois, U.S. - Car crash ( Contemporary
Christian ) Born 10-21-1955 in Richmond, Indiana, U.S. - Singer and pianist
- (Wrote, "Sing Your Praise To The Lord" which Amy Grant covered and "Our
God Is An Awesome God") - Worked with
Zion, The New Creations Choir and A
Ragamuffin Band.

Roman Martinez Jr. - Died 10-?-1997
- Cerebral palsy ( Tejano - Conjunto
) He was 45 years old - Percussions and sound engineer - Was a member of
The
Hometown Boys.

Jerry Ahlberg - Died 10-?-1997 ( Rock
) Played bass - Was a member of The Seeds (not the Sky Saxon's Seeds) who
changed their name to The Ceeds then to Maibe Handle and then to The Broadway
Muse And Shell Band.

Claude
Garner (Claude P. Garner) - Died 10-1-1997 in Searcy, AR, U.S. ( Country
) Born 9-22-1909 in Jackson County, Grand Glaize, AR, U.S. - Played harmonica
- (He did, "The Passenger Train") - He appeared at The Grand Ole Opry.

John
Ashley (John Atchley) - Died 10-3-1997 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Rockabilly
) Born 12-25-1934 in Kansas City, Mo., U.S. - (He did, "Born To Rock" and
"The Cry Of The Wild Goose") - Worked with Billy Vaughn, Milton Rogers
and George Motola - He was an actor in High School Caeser and beach party
movies - He was married for a while to actress, Deborah
Walley.

Millard
Lampell (aka H. Partnow) - Died 10-3-1997 - Lung cancer ( Folk ) Born
1-23-1919 in in Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (Co-wrote,
"The Lonesome Train") - Was a member of The
Almanac Singers along with Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Lee Hays
(They did, "Talking Union" and " Plow Under") - He also was a scriptwriter
for movies and TV.

John
Denver ( Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. ) - Died 10-12-1997 in Pacific
Grove, CA, U.S. - Small plane crash ( Folk - Pop ) Born 12-31-1943 in Roswell,
New Mexiico, U.S. - Guitarist, singer, songwriter and actor - (He did,
"Rocky Mountain High" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads") - Was a member
of The Mitchell Trio later renamed Denver, Boise And Johnson - He wrote
Peter, Paul And Mary's, "Leaving On A Jet Plane" - He acted in the movie,
"Oh God!" - Songwriters
Hall Of Fame Inductee.

John Christian Stewart (aka Rockin'
Johnny) - Died 10-14-1997 - Passed out and struck a chair ( Rock ) Born
1960 - Guitarist - He was a member, along with his brothers Ned Stewart
and Don David, of The Northeast Band who later became The Prairie Dogs.

Jimmy
Walker - Died 10-16-1997 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 3-8-1905
in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Singer and pianist - Worked with with Erwin Helfer
("Rough And Ready" and "Fringe Benefit") and The Sons Of The Blues.

Henry
Vestine (aka The Sunflower) - Died 10-20-1997 in Paris, France - Respiratory
failure ( Rock ) Born 12-25-1944 in
Washington, D.C., U.S. - Was a guitarist for The Mothers Of Invention,
Canned Heat (They did, "On The Road Again" and "Amphetamine Annie") and
The Vipers.

Jitterbug
Webb (Willie Webb) - Died 11-1-1997 in San Antonio, TX, U.S. - Cancer
( Blues - R&B ) Born 9-28-1941 in San Antonio, TX, U.S. - Singer, songwriter
and guitarist - Was a member of The Five Stars, Ricky Aguary And The Keys
and The Supercrew - Worked with Charlie And The Jives, Cora Woods, Freddy
Fender, Doug Sahm, Ike And Tina Turner, Lowell Fulson, Charles May, Charles
Brown, Rocky Morales, Johnny Otis, Charlie Alvarado and The Monkees.

Dr.
Tommy Comeaux - Died 11-8-1997 - Hit by a car while riding a bike (
Cajun ) Born 2-15-1952 - Played Mandolin and guitar - Was a member of Beausoleil
("Chere Petite Blond"), Coteau ("Zydeco Gris-Gris"), The Clickin' Chickens,
The Basin Brothers ("The Little One Or The Big One") and Native Son - He
was a real doctor, a pathologist.

Saul
Chaplin (Saul Kaplan) - Died 11-8-1997 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Injuries
due to a fall ( Musicals ) Born 2-19-1912 in Brooklyn, New York, NY, U.S.
- Composer, arranger and producer - (Composed the scores for, "The "West
Side Story" and "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers") - Songwriters
Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Rainer
Ptacek - Died 11-12-1997 in Tucson, AZ, U.S. - Brain tumor ( Folk -
Blues ) Born 6-7-1951 in East Berlin, East Germany - Slide guitarist and
singer - Was a member of The Rainer & Das Combo, recorded with Giant
Sand (They did, "Swamp Thing " and
"Elevator Music") and worked with
Robert Plant - Arizona Blues
Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Robert
Palmer (Robert Franklin Palmer Jr.) - Died 11-20-1997 in New York,
U.S. - Complications from liver disease, was awaiting a possible transplant
( Blues - Rock - Jazz ) Born 6-19-1945 in Little Rock, AR, U.S. - Author,
writer, critic, producer, clarinetist and saxophonist - Worked with The
Insect Trust - Was a music critic at The New York Times, a contributing
editor at Rolling Stone and a columnist for Live! Magazine - Wrote the
books "Deep Blues" and "Rock & Roll: An Unruly History" - Blues
Foundation's Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Michael Hutchence - Died 11-22-1997
- Hung himself ( New Wave ) Born 1-22-1960 - Was the lead singer for Inxs
(They did,"What You Need" and "New
Sensation").

Michael Hedges - Died 12-1-1997 in
Medocino, California, U.S. - His car went over
an embankment
( New Edge - Acoustic Rock ) Born 12-31-1953 in Sacramento, CA, U.S.
(He did,"Menage a Trois" and "Ragamuffin") Worked with Crosby, Stills And
Nash and Dweezil Zappa.

Ewart
Abner (aka Ab) (Edward Gladstone Abner Jr.) - Died 12-27-1997 in Los
Angeles, CA, U.S. - Complications from pneumonia - Born 5-11-1923 in Chicago,
IL, U.S. - Record executive - Worked at Chance Records, Jobete Music Company,
Stone Diamond Music Corporation and Vee Jay Records releasing the first
Beatles record in America - Was a president for Motown Records - Worked
with Stevie Wonder, The Four Seasons, The Impressions, Jimmy Reed, The
Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson
And The Miracles and The Four Tops - Helped found The Black Music Association
- Music And Entertainment Hall of Fame Inductee.